Anti-Gang Task Force to engage schoolchildren

The Joint Anti-Gang Task Force recently launched an intervention programme which targets schoolchildren, particularly those who are involved in criminal activities.

Speaking with THE WEEKEND STAR earlier this week, Inspector Shaunjaye Mitchell, communications liaison at the task force, says more children are getting involved in criminal activities.

"We started a school visit schedule, where we visit some of our schools that will more likely be at risk of being infiltrated by gangsters or gangs, and we have started our intervention; meaning, have our pep talk with the kids, and we look at ways to have them support the security forces instead. So we look at alternative strategies where they can now participate in the crime fight, as opposed to joining gangs and being a part of criminals activities," he said.

On Monday, a 15-year-old girl was taken into police custody after she was caught with an illegal gun. A man was also arrested. The police say they are to be questioned and later charged. Mitchell said Monday's seizure was just another example of how children are targeted by criminals to carry out illicit activities.

"So outside of us targeting the big players in the industries, what we need to do is also target our children. Under normal circumstances, one wouldn't expect a 15-year-old female to be carrying a firearm," he said.

"It can be a case where gunmen are using school-age children as couriers to carry weapons around, or it could be a case where they're trying to use young women, who are less likely to be the primary targets of operations because of the fact that, over years of experience, [and] multiple operations conducted, it's highly unlikely that you'll find a young female with a weapon walking around," the added.

"If we can prevent kids from joining gangs, then we will have a lot less problems in terms of finding these gangsters. What we want to do now is create an atmosphere where children can play a bigger role in crime-fighting; meaning, instead of trying to participate in a gang, they can now anonymously share information. They would have information about various activities that are happening in their communities, in their schools, and we want to use the opportunity to target them in a meaningful way," he added.

The intervention programme commenced two weeks ago at Godfrey Stewart High School in Westmoreland.

The joint anti-gang task force consists of members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force.